Celtic summer signing tipped to become a superstar

Celtic made a slow start to the summer transfer window, letting things go down to the wire once again. By the end of August, the fans would have been pretty satisfied with the signings that the Hoops did manage to make though. They signed seven players on a permanent basis, including a club-record transfer. Also, Alex Valle was brought in on loan from FC Barcelona.

There is no doubt that the headline move of the summer transfer window was the arrival of Arne Engels from FC Augsburg. Celtic are believed to have shelled out a £11 million fee to sign him. The previous record was the £9 million they parted with to sign Odsonne Edouard.

Engels made his debut for Celtic in the Glasgow Derby, coming on as a substitute. He might have some competition on his hands to be a starter in Brendan Rodgers' side though.

Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate are automatic starters at this point. And Paulo Bernardo was excellent in the 3-0 Glasgow Derby win over the Rangers while also impressing during the recent international break. So, Engels will have to earn his way into the starting XI.

Celtic summer signing tipped to become a superstar

Frank McAvennie already seems to believe that Engels is headed for superstardom. As reported by Football Insider, he said:

"It’s a home tie and Engels knows he’s got to fight but I think he going to be a superstar, he just made his debut for the Belgium senior squad.

“Playing with Kevin de Bruyne, you’ve got to have something about you if you’re in that team.

“I know they’ve not been winning but wow, they’ve got some real good players.

“He’s only 21-years-old, I think Brendan Rodgers is the right man to coach him further, I really do."

Of course, considering the transfer fee Celtic shelled out to sign him, they must be certain of Engels' potential. He has been brought in to take Matt O'Riley's place in the team.

That being said, that should not mean that he is an automatic selection every week. Engels has to prove himself constantly, just like every other Celtic player. If Bernardo turns out to be the better option, then he should be the starter, despite the record fee the club shelled out to sign the Belgian midfielder.